A recent Right to Information (RTI) request has uncovered that 88 tiger deaths recorded in India between 2020 and 2021 remain unresolved, raising significant concerns about wildlife monitoring and accountability. The cases span across major reserves, including Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Kaziranga, Tadoba, Dudhwa, and Corbett, with many deaths reported from within protected areas. Despite some instances indicating possible poaching, investigations have not reached legal closure. The records show that many of these deaths are marked as 'US' (Under Scrutiny/Unnatural), yet the cause of death remains unrecorded in numerous cases. Madhya Pradesh, home to the highest tiger population in India, has a notable share of these pending cases, while Maharashtra, Assam, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand also report unresolved incidents. Experts highlight the lack of essential documentation, such as post-mortem reports and forensic analyses, which could compromise evidence. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has mandated states to submit pending reports by January 27, 2026, warning that cases may be closed without resolution. Activists argue that this could undermine accountability and allow wildlife crime to persist unpunished, with RTI activist Ajay Dubey stating, 'This is not closure, this is burial.'